Fostering Assessment Social Worker

The Methodist Church in Britain; City Of London; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Retention bonus possible

Part-time arrangements available

Flexible working considered

Good Work Standard accredited employer

Job summary

The Methodist Church in Britain is seeking a qualified social worker to join the regional fostering recruitment and assessment team in London. The role focuses on assessing prospective foster carers from allocation through to panel recommendation, and supporting them through preparation and training.

Form F experience is essential; current Social Work England registration and UK right to work are required as no visa sponsorship is offered.

Qualifications

• Relevant professional social work qualification.
• Current Social Work England registration.

Responsibilities

• Complete fostering assessments from allocation to panel recommendation.
• Plan and manage assessment stages with visits, checks and references.
• Assess suitability of applicants, households and support networks.
• Analyse parenting capacity and safeguarding factors.
• Guide applicants through panel preparation and outcomes.

Skills

Form F experience

Knowledge of child development

Analytical judgement

Professional curiosity

Education

Social work qualification

Job description

This fixed-term post, running to 5 April 2027 with potential to extend, sits in the council's regional fostering recruitment and assessment team across Havering, Redbridge, Tower Hamlets and Waltham Forest. The work centres on assessing prospective foster carers from allocation through to panel recommendation, and supporting them through preparation and training. Form F experience is essential, and hours are 36 a week, full-time or part-time. Current Social Work England registration and existing right to work are required, as no visa sponsorship is offered.

What the job involves

• Complete evidence-based fostering assessments from allocation through to panel and recommendation
• Plan and manage each assessment stage, including visits, interviews, checks, references and evidence gathering, within timescales
• Assess applicants, household members, significant adults and support networks for suitability to foster
• Analyse parenting capacity, safeguarding awareness, protective care, family relationships, diversity, identity, birth family contact and ability to meet children's needs
• Use professional curiosity and judgement to test evidence, assess risk and identify safeguarding concerns
• Evaluate references, statutory checks and agency information to form balanced recommendations
• Guide applicants through the process, including panel preparation and understanding outcomes and next steps
• Work with agencies, partners and stakeholders to gather information and improve outcomes for children with care experience
• Support preparation and delivery of foster carer training, identifying development needs and contributing to materials

Qualifications

• Relevant professional social work qualification

Registration & licences

• Current Social Work England registration, maintained as a continuing professional body registration

Experience

• Comprehensive fostering assessment experience, including high-quality Form F assessments
• Experience analysing complex life experiences and family dynamics and presenting balanced recommendations to Fostering Panel

Skills & knowledge

• Knowledge of child development, attachment, developmental trauma and adverse childhood experiences
• Ability to assess capacity for therapeutic, nurturing and reparative care for children with complex needs
• Knowledge of fostering legislation, National Minimum Standards, Fostering Services Regulations and statutory guidance
• Strengths-based, anti-discriminatory and culturally competent assessment, challenging personal bias
• Professional curiosity and judgement to test evidence and challenge assumptions, drawing on interviews, checks, references and reports

Checks & eligibility

• Satisfactory DBS check
• Satisfactory employment references and CIFAS identity checks
• Satisfactory declaration of interest
• Existing UK work authorisation that does not require sponsorship

Other

• Commitment to continuous professional development, reflective practice and professional supervision
• Building purposeful relationships with prospective carers while maintaining professional boundaries
• Command of spoken English sufficient for a public-facing role

What’s offered

• Retention bonus of £2,000 per annum, subject to eligibility
• Part-time arrangements available, with pay pro rata
• Flexible working considered wherever possible
• Good Work Standard accredited employer, covering fair pay, wellbeing, skills and progression